By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has raised concerns over food safety in Nigeria. He spoke in Lagos on August 28, 2026, during the Open Day for Gardeners’ Seminar. Osinbajo warned that some farmers and traders allegedly use harmful chemicals on fruits and vegetables. He urged government agencies and citizens to strengthen monitoring and report unsafe practices across the food supply chain.
Osinbajo Recounts Orange Juice Safety Scare
Osinbajo, a professor of law, shared a personal experience involving his wife, Dolapo.
She had switched from carbonated drinks to freshly squeezed orange juice. She made the change because she wanted a healthier alternative.
However, she later began experiencing unexplained and persistent headaches.
After other possible causes were ruled out, she sent a batch of the juice for laboratory analysis.
Osinbajo said the laboratory results raised serious concerns.
According to him, the analysis found that the freshly squeezed orange juice was not fit for human consumption.
“The fact that fruit looks fresh doesn’t mean that it is safe,” Osinbajo said.
He added that natural-looking drinks could also contain dangerous substances introduced during production or distribution.
Concerns Over Chemicals Used on Produce
Osinbajo said some farmers use potentially dangerous pesticides on fruits and vegetables.
He also alleged that some traders use chemicals to accelerate ripening. Others may use them to extend the shelf life of produce.
He specifically mentioned calcium carbide as a substance allegedly used to ripen fruits quickly.
Such fruits may include bananas, mangoes, pawpaws and tomatoes.
The former vice-president said the concerns require stronger scrutiny across Nigeria’s food supply chain.
Studies Raise Further Food Safety Concerns
Osinbajo cited research suggesting that calcium-carbide use may not be an isolated practice.
He referenced a 2024 study conducted in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
The study involved 20 fruit sellers. According to Osinbajo, half admitted using calcium carbide.
He also cited research from Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The study reportedly found that 25 per cent of surveyed fruit sellers admitted using calcium carbide.
Similarly, Osinbajo referenced a 2023 survey in Lagos.
The survey involved 50 fruit and vegetable retailers. He said 22 respondents admitted using chemicals to preserve their produce.
These findings, he noted, should concern consumers and regulators.
Osinbajo Lists Chemicals of Concern
Osinbajo also listed several substances that some traders reportedly identified as being used on produce.
They included Gamma-lin-20, Sniper, phosphide, DDT and brodifacoum.
He described phosphide as a highly toxic fumigant.
He also identified brodifacoum as a type of rat poison.
Therefore, Osinbajo stressed the potential dangers of using substances that were not designed for food preservation.
NAFDAC Warns Against Unsafe Fruit Ripening
Recent research has also highlighted concerns about inappropriate calcium-carbide ripening.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned against the practice.
The concerns focus on the possible health risks associated with unsafe fruit-ripening methods.
Consequently, Osinbajo called for stronger enforcement of food-safety regulations.
Government Must Strengthen Food Safety Enforcement
The former vice-president urged government agencies to intensify monitoring.
He said authorities must prevent unsafe chemicals from entering food production and distribution.
He also called for stronger public education.
In addition, he urged authorities to provide safer alternatives for farmers and traders.
These alternatives should cover pest control, fruit ripening and food preservation.
Consumers Must Also Stay Vigilant
Osinbajo said government action alone cannot solve the problem.
“Government regulation needs to be enforced, but in a country this size, we have to be active ourselves,” he said.
He therefore urged Nigerians to become more vigilant.
Consumers should ask questions about where their food comes from.
They should also pay attention to how sellers handle fruits and vegetables.
Proper washing of produce remains important before consumption.
Furthermore, consumers should report suspicious practices to relevant authorities.
Food Safety Requires Collective Action
Osinbajo said the issue highlights potential dangers across Nigeria’s food supply chain.
Chemicals can allegedly enter food at different stages of production and distribution.
Therefore, effective monitoring must cover farms, transportation, markets and consumers.
Stronger enforcement can help reduce unsafe practices.
However, public awareness and consumer vigilance also remain essential.
The former vice-president urged Nigerians to play an active role in protecting food safety within their communities.
The remarks came during the fifth edition of the Open Day for Gardeners.
Themed “Leaving the Earth Better Than We Found It,” the event took place in Lagos from August 28 to 30, 2026.
A video of Osinbajo’s remarks appeared on his YouTube channel on Wednesday.
